Layered midriff defining garment

ABSTRACT

A layered midriff defining garment includes a generally tubular main body having a top opening, a bottom opening and a pair of side sections defining curved portions to impart an hourglass figure. Upper and lower resilient bands for maintaining the device on the body of a user, and a plurality of horizontally layered elements for simulating a look of a plurality of different shirts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to women's garments, and moreparticularly to a midriff defining garment having a plurality of layersfor imparting a fashionable look.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Many types of undergarments are known in the prior art which areconstructed to provide support to the user. Many of these devices areconstructed as brassiere and girdle combinations which are intended tocontour a users breasts and midriff sections. Accordingly, these devicestypically include a bra section that is combined with a midriff sectionthat is worn beneath a users ordinary clothing. Unfortunately, owing tothe combined design, users are often unable to utilize only the midriffdefining section without the brassiere or to substitute the same for adifferent bra of their choosing.

Moreover, recent fashion trends have promoted looks in which multipleshirts are worn by a single individual in such a manner as to reveal asmall portion of each. This look is referred to as a “Layered” look.However, when wearing multiple shirts, the wearer can become overheatedand may also appear to be heavier and/or less shapely than what theirbody size actually is.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to combine the benefits of a midriffcontouring device with the fashionable layered look that does not sufferfrom the drawbacks of the individual devices described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a layered midriff defining garment.One embodiment of the present invention can include a generally tubularmain body having a top opening, a bottom opening and a pair of sidesections that have a curved portion that apply an inward pressure to anabdominal section of a user to impart an hourglass figure. The garmentcan further include upper and lower resilient bands for maintaining thedevice on the body of a user, and a plurality of horizontally layeredelements for simulating a look of a plurality of different shirts.

Another embodiment of the layered midriff defining garment can include acontour strap disposed along the back side of the garment. The strapacting to adjust a tension applied to the users body by the sidesections in order to accentuate an hourglass look.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a layered midriff defining garment that isuseful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the layered midriff defining garment inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the layered midriff defining garment inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another rear view of the layered midriff defining garment inaccordance with the other embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the layered midriff defining garment inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the layered midriff defining garment inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the inventionor elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only thosereference numerals are shown in the individual figures which arenecessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes ofthis description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,”“vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as oriented in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a layered midriff defininggarment 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein.

The garment 10 can include an elongated strip of fabric material 11 thatis joined via one or more seams 12 and/or 12′ so as to form a generallytubular main body having a top opening 11 a, a bottom opening 11 b and apair of opposing side sections 11 c and 11 d. As shown, each of the sidesections 11 c and 11 d can curve towards the center of the main body, inorder to allow the garment to form an overall hourglass shape. Methodsfor forming the curves within the side sections are well known to thoseof skill in the art and include the ability to sew the middle portionsof the garment to the seams tighter than the upper sections. Of course,any number of other commonly known tailoring methodologies can also beutilized herein.

The garment 10 can preferably be constructed from a blend of porouscotton and spandex, for example, having excellent heat dissipation andresilient qualities that are capable of stretching and contracting tothe contours of a wearer without retaining heat. As the garment 10 isintended to be worn about the midriff section of a woman's body, oneembodiment can further include a highly resilient band 13 secured alongthe top opening 11 a in order to secure the garment about the upperabdominals of the wearer. The device can also include a lower resilientband 13′ secured about the lower opening 11 b of the garment. This lowerband can act in conjunction with the upper band to prevent the garmentfrom moving upwards along the abdomen of the wearer.

As described herein, the resilient bands can be stitched along the inneror outer periphery of the openings or can be incorporated into theconstruction of the main body according to any number of knownmanufacturing and tailoring methodologies. Moreover, by includingcurving side sections 11 c and 11 d, the garment acts to activelycontour the abdominal section of the user inward, thus effectuating thedesired hourglass figure shape. Additionally, the garment can beconstructed so as to fit a plurality of sizes ranging from petite toextra large. In either instance, the resiliency of the garment fabricwill function in a manner similar to a traditional girdle to maintainand actively shape a users body. Moreover, the resilient nature of themain body can act as a support for expectant mothers by providing agentle contour for their abdomen.

Although illustrated as including a pair of opposing seems 12 and 12′located on each side of the main body, other embodiments are alsocontemplated. For example, the main body can include a single seem forforming the looped main body in accordance with known constructionmethodologies such as thread stitching, for example. In one alternateembodiment, seem 12 can include traditional stitching, and seem 12′ canbe removable in nature. To this end, seem 12′ can include a zipper,buttons, snaps and/or a pair of opposing strips of hook and loopmaterial capable of allowing the user to easily put on and take off thegarment without having to put the garment over their head.

As shown in FIG. 2, the garment 10 can further include a plurality ofdecorative layered elements 21 a-21 x that are disposed horizontallyacross the entirety of the main body. In one preferred embodiment, eachof the layered elements 21 a-21 x can be constructed from elongatedstrips of cloth material that are secured to the main body along theupper edge of each layer via a plurality of elastic seems 22 in order toallow the layered elements to expand and retract in harmony with themain body.

As described herein, one or more of the layered elements 21 a-21 x canbe constructed from a material that is the same as, or different thanthe cloth material of the main body. Additionally, each of the layeredelements can include any number of distinct colors and markings whichcan be the same as or different than the color and/or markings of themain body. When so positioned, the garment can be worn in a visible orpartially visible manner in which one or more of the layered elementsare visible. As such, the wearer of the garment 10 can present theillusion that they are wearing multiple shirts in a layered mannerwithout actually having to do so. Moreover, owing to the hourglass shapecreated by the sides of the main body, the garment itself can act tosimultaneously enhance the look of the abdominal section of the wearerby presenting a slimming appearance. Finally, when constructed from athin elastic material, the garment 10 can be extremely lightweight inorder to prevent the user from overheating.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the garment 10 thatfurther includes one or more removable bra attachment straps 30 and anoptional abdominal contour strap 35.

The bra attachment strap 30 can act to allow a user to secure the upperportion of the main body to any conventional bra. Such a feature can bebeneficial to provide extra assurance to the wearer that the device willnot slip down while being warn. In one embodiment, the strap 30 caninclude a first end that is permanently affixed to the upper portion ofthe main body via conventional stitching, for example, and a second endhaving a connector 30 a secured thereon. Connector 30 a can beconfigured to be removably secured to a complementary connector 30 blocated on the main body in order to allow the strap to form a loop.

In one preferred embodiment, the strap 30 can be constructed from cottonor other cloth materials, and the connectors 30 a and 30 b can beconstructed from opposing pieces of hook and loop material (i.e.,Velcro) that are permanently adhered to the strap and main body inaccordance with known construction methodologies. The connectors beingcapable of allowing the strap to form an adjustable loop, see arrow A,for engaging a bra. Of course, any number of other materials andcompression fittings such as snaps, buttons and/or magnetic elements,for example, can also be utilized herein.

The contour strap 35 can act to allow a user to adjust the tension andfit of the garment 10 by allowing the user to pull sides 11 c and 11 dtowards each other, in order to enhance the hourglass shape of thewearer. As shown, the strap 35 can preferably be disposed along the backside of the main body between side portions 11 c and 11 d.

In one embodiment, the contour strap 35 can include an elongated clothmaterial having a first side 35 a that is permanently secured to sidesection 11 c of the main body via a conventional seem 12. The strap 35can preferably be secured along the entirety of the side section andextend from the lower opening 11 b to the upper opening 11 a. The strapcan also include a second side section 35 b having a contour strapconnector 36 a secured thereon. Contour strap connector 36 a beingconfigured to removably engage a complementing contour strap connector36 b that is disposed along side portion 11 d of the main body.

When so positioned, a user can pull the loose end 35 b of the contourstrap across the back side of the main body until the first contourstrap 36 a engages the second contour strap 36 b. In doing so, thegarment can pull sides 11 c and 11 d towards each other, thus tighteningthe garment until a desired tension and/or contour appearance has beenreached.

In one preferred embodiment, contour strap connectors 36 a and 36 b canbe constructed from opposing pieces of hook and loop material (i.e.,Velcro) that are permanently adhered to the strap and main body inaccordance with known construction methodologies such as glue oradhesive tape, for example. It is preferred that the hook and loopmaterial include the identical color to the main body so as to beminimally noticeable in the event that a portion of the connectors arevisible when the device is worn. Of course, any number of othermaterials and compression fittings such as snaps, buttons and/ormagnetic elements, for example, can also be utilized herein.

Although described above as being oriented with respect to sides 11 cand 11 d, those of skill in the art will recognize that the position ofthe strap 35 can be reversed without undue experimentation.

As shown in FIG. 4. The outside portion of the strap 35 can preferablyinclude the layered elements 21 a-21 x described above. As such, thegarment 10 can still impart a layered look from any direction (i.e.,front, back and sides) while allowing the user to adjust the tension ofthe garment via the strap 35.

FIG. 5, illustrates another alternate embodiment of the garment 10 thatfurther includes a tail section 50 constructed from a cloth materialand/or shefon, for example, that is preferably identical to that of themain body. The tail section can be permanently secured along the bottomsection of the main body via a seem 12 and can extend from sides 11 c to11 d. The tail section 50 can act to cover the posterior of the wearerin order to hide the appearance of large buttocks and/or to preventimmodest showing of undergarments from behind. Additionally, the tailsection can act to reduce the appearance of panty lines that often showthrough a users trousers.

FIG. 6 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the garment 10 thatfurther includes a pair of side extension sections 60 that areconstructed from a cloth material that is preferably identical to thatof the main body. The side extension sections can be permanently securedalong the bottom section of the main body via a seem 12 and can each belocated beneath side sections 11 c and 11 d, respectively, and extendtowards the center portion along the back side of the garment. Inoperation, the side extension sections 60 can extend down to cover thehips of the wearer in a shark-bite style to distract the appearance ofthick thighs and wide hips for people who feel self-conscious abouttheir figure. Additionally, the side sections can act to reduce theappearance of panty lines that often show through a users' trousers.

As described herein, one or more elements of the garment 10 can besecured together utilizing any number of known tailoring techniques suchas, for example, seems, removable seems, cloth adhesive, hem tape andthe like. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been describedas including separate individual elements, the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in theart will recognize that each of the above described elements of thegarment may be formed together as one continuous element throughconventional tailoring and clothing manufacturing techniques. Moreover,in one preferred embodiment, the garment 10 will be constructed as aone-size-fits all, although other embodiments include the ability tocustom manufacture individual sized garments for specific body sizes andstyles.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A layered midriff defining garment, comprising: agenerally tubular main body having a top opening, a bottom opening and apair of side sections, each of said side sections including a curvedportion radiating towards a center of the main body; said curvedportions being configured to apply an inward pressure to an abdominalsection of a user to impart an hourglass figure; an upper resilient bandsecured along the upper opening of the main body, said upper band beingconfigured to secure the garment to a location above the users abdominalsection; a lower resilient band secured along the lower opening of themain body, said lower band being configured to secure the garment to alocation below the users abdominal section; and a plurality ofhorizontally layered elements disposed along the main body of thegarment, said layered elements including a shape and style that isconfigured to simulate a look of a plurality of different shirts.
 2. Thegarment of claim 1, further comprising: at least one adjustable strapsecured along the upper opening of the main body, said straps beingconfigured to engage a bra of a user.
 3. The garment of claim 1, whereinsaid main body is constructed from a porous and resilient materialconfigured to dissipate heat and to expand and contract with a contourof a users body.
 4. The garment of claim 1, further comprising: aremovable seem extending from the top opening to the bottom opening,said seem including at least one of a zipper, a hook and loop material,a plurality of snaps, a plurality of buttons and a plurality of opposingmagnetic elements.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of thelayered elements are secured to the main body via resilient seems andare configured to expand and contract with a movement of the main body.6. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the layered elements areconstructed from a same material as the main body.
 7. The garment ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the layered elements are constructedfrom a material that is not the same as the main body.
 8. The garment ofclaim 1, wherein each of the layered elements include an identical coloras the main body.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of thelayered elements includes a color that is not the same as a color of themain body.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of thelayered elements includes a decorative marking.
 11. The garment of claim1, further comprising: a tail section secured along the bottom openingof the main body and extending between each of the opposing sidesections, said tail section being configured to cover a posteriorsection of a users body.
 12. The garment of claim 1, further comprising:a pair of side extension sections that are secured along the bottomopening of the main body at each of the opposing side sections,respectively, said side extensions being configured to cover a hipsection of a users body and to create a shark-bite style.
 13. A layeredmidriff defining garment, comprising: a generally tubular main bodyhaving a top opening, a bottom opening and a pair of side sections, eachof said side sections including a curved portion radiating towards acenter of the main body; said curved portions being configured to applyan inward pressure to an abdominal section of a user to impart anhourglass figure; an upper resilient band secured along the upperopening of the main body, said upper band being configured to secure thegarment to a location above the users abdominal section; a lowerresilient band secured along the lower opening of the main body, saidlower band being configured to secure the garment to a location belowthe users abdominal section; a contour strap having a first end securedalong the entirety of one of the side sections of the main body, and asecond end configured to be removably secured to the entirety of theother side section of the main body via a contour strap connector,wherein the contour strap is configured to adjustably pull each of theside sections of the main body towards each other in accordance with ausers preference; and a plurality of horizontally layered elementsdisposed along the main body of the garment, and an outside facingportion of the contour strap, said layered elements including a shapeand style that is configured to simulate a look of a plurality ofdifferent shirts.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein said contour strapconnector includes opposing strips of hook and loop material, saidmaterial including a color that is identical to a color of the mainbody.
 15. The garment of claim 13, further comprising: at least oneadjustable strap secured along the upper opening of the main body, saidstraps being configured to engage a bra of a user.
 16. The garment ofclaim 13, wherein each of the main body and the contour strap areconstructed from a porous and resilient material configured to dissipateheat and to expand and contract with a contour of a users body.
 17. Thegarment of claim 13, wherein each of the layered elements are secured tothe main body and the contour strap via resilient seems and areconfigured to expand and contract with a movement of the main body. 18.The garment of claim 13, wherein at least one of the layered elementsare constructed from a material and a color that is not the same as amaterial and color of the main body.
 19. The garment of claim 13,further comprising: a tail section secured along the bottom opening ofthe main body and extending between each of the opposing side sections,said tail section being configured to cover a posterior section of ausers body.
 20. The garment of claim 13, further comprising: a pair ofside extension sections that are secured along the bottom opening of themain body at each of the opposing side sections, respectively, said sideextensions being configured to cover a hip section of a users body andto create a shark-bite style.